Brexit: Alternatives to Amazon.co.uk

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 9:48am #1

I have seen on the news that prices of goods ordered from UK are going to spike in case of no deal Brexit.

I am wondering what are the alternatives available?

Does Amazon.de seem to have similar products available? And what about using English language on .de website?

Any one could share their experience /opinion on this?

D3V!L · 28-08-2019 9:55am

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have seen on the news that prices of goods ordered from UK are going to spike in case of no deal Brexit.

I am wondering what are the alternatives available?

Does Amazon.de seem to have similar products available? And what about using English language on .de website?

Any one could share their experience /opinion on this?

I got an LG soundbar from Amazon.de recently. I saved €630 over the retail price here !! It took a while to get here compared to the UK one but well worth the wait.

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 10:05am

That's great news, does it take weeks to get items delivered?
And how did you navigate through the website, it's in German?

D3V!L wrote: »

I got an LG soundbar from Amazon.de recently. I saved €630 over the retail price here !! It took a while to get here compared to the UK one but well worth the wait.

Thelonious Monk · 28-08-2019 10:07am

Stop buying stuff you don't need!

ToxicPaddy · 28-08-2019 10:07am

I've bought stuff from amazon.com, amazon.de and amazon.es. No issues getting anything delivered to ireland.

ELM327 · 28-08-2019 10:07am

masterboy123 wrote: »

That's great news, does it take weeks to get items delivered?
And how did you navigate through the website, it's in German?

Ask someone who speaks German or use google translate

D3V!L · 28-08-2019 10:08am

masterboy123 wrote: »

That's great news, does it take weeks to get items delivered?
And how did you navigate through the website, it's in German?

There's an icon on the page to select English under the site search bar. Apart from that shipping isn't much different. Of course it will be a day or two longer depending on what you order.

KungPao · 28-08-2019 10:10am

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

ELM327 · 28-08-2019 10:12am

KungPao wrote: »

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

And when the shops in your town are selling for double the price on amazon?

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 10:12am

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

I've bought stuff from amazon.com, amazon.de and amazon.es. No issues getting anything delivered to ireland.

Does the (electronic) stuff come with EU plugs?

I buy musical equipment from thomann.de in Germany. They used to throw a free 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor into the box for shipments to Ireland/UK, but recently they seem to be sending the actual 3 pin plug versions over this direction. Just wondering did the EU amazons do anything similar?

D3V!L · 28-08-2019 10:15am

phutyle wrote: »

Does the (electronic) stuff come with EU plugs?

I buy musical equipment from thomann.de in Germany. They used to throw a free 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor into the box for shipments to Ireland/UK, but recently they seem to be sending the actual 3 pin plug versions over this direction. Just wondering did the EU amazons do anything similar?

My sound bar came with a two pin plug but with the maaaahoosive saving I could stretch to a new plug.

ELM327 · 28-08-2019 10:35am

phutyle wrote: »

Does the (electronic) stuff come with EU plugs?

I buy musical equipment from thomann.de in Germany. They used to throw a free 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor into the box for shipments to Ireland/UK, but recently they seem to be sending the actual 3 pin plug versions over this direction. Just wondering did the EU amazons do anything similar?

It's not that difficult to rewire a plug from schuko to UK

cj maxx · 28-08-2019 10:47am

ELM327 wrote: »

It's not that difficult to rewire a plug from schuko to UK

True , but it wont be unearthed ?

B0jangles · 28-08-2019 10:52am

KungPao wrote: »

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

I tried to buy locally - I wanted a decent cooking thermometer so I went up to our local cooking supplies/homeware shop, they had 4-5 thermometers in stock - great!
I checked the online reviews for them and not one got more than 3 out of 5 stars, plus the shop was selling them with close to a 100% markup compared to online. So my choice was buy a very expensive, inferior product locally, or get a really good one online for half the price.

ELM327 · 28-08-2019 10:53am

cjmc wrote: »

True , but it wont be unearthed ?

No

https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/european-to-uk-plug-conversion-2-pin-to-3-pin.57508/

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 12:54pm

I did and unfortunately it's no good from what they offer and the costs are almost double!

KungPao wrote: »

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

Spocker · 28-08-2019 1:07pm

Don't forget that most of the other Amazons won't have a free delivery to Ireland option

endacl · 28-08-2019 1:09pm

D3V!L wrote: »

My sound bar came with a two pin plug but with the maaaahoosive saving I could stretch to a new plug.

Dunno. Having to leave the gaff and walk into a shop to buy a plug would be a bit of a deal breaker for me. Do amazon sell plugs?

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 1:10pm

Even with Amazon Prime membership?

Spocker wrote: »

Don't forget that most of the other Amazons won't have a free delivery to Ireland option

kneemos · 28-08-2019 1:32pm

Amazon will add any tariffs presumably.

Take your chances with the original sellers.

ELM327 · 28-08-2019 1:34pm

I think amazon prime gives you free delivery

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 1:52pm

ELM327 wrote: »

It's not that difficult to rewire a plug from schuko to UK

True, and I've done that for some stuff, but if I can get a free adapter, or better yet, the UK plug in the first place, I can save myself the hassle.

Not everyone can, though, and some people could be a little disappointed if their new smart kettle or fog machine arrived and they couldn't plug it straight in. It's just something to be aware of when buying from mainland Europe.

cjmc wrote: »

True , but it wont be unearthed ?

Most of the stuff I'd be buying is Class II (Double Insulated) equipment. They have a square within a square logo, and the earth pin on the plug is plastic. They don't require earthing, and in fact should not be earthed. So that wouldn't be a problem.

stimpson · 28-08-2019 1:59pm

I'm going to be amazed if amazon don't have delivery from EU via amazon.ie ready to rock in case of a no deal. Also very disappointed.

With a bit of luck we'll get duty free back to drown our sorrows.

my3cents · 28-08-2019 2:00pm

If you find an item you like on Amazon.co.uk you can see what the price is on any other Amazon just by changing the co.uk to the relevant country

Random example

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAYBAR-Wireless-Cinema-Soundbar-Black/dp/B00BD1I8P4/

https://www.amazon.de/SONOS-PLAYBAR-Wireless-Cinema-Soundbar-Black/dp/B00BD1I8P4/

Obviously if the other country don't sell the particular item you get an error msg.

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 2:23pm

The first link oepend automatically with amazon app on my phone.

I suppose you need to be using browser to be able to change countries. Until today I have used only Amazon app on my phone to purchase the items.

Good idea though, just need to spend little extra time.

my3cents wrote: »

If you find an item you like on Amazon.co.uk you can see what the price is on any other Amazon just by changing the co.uk to the relevant country

Random example

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAYBAR-Wireless-Cinema-Soundbar-Black/dp/B00BD1I8P4/

https://www.amazon.de/SONOS-PLAYBAR-Wireless-Cinema-Soundbar-Black/dp/B00BD1I8P4/

Obviously if the other country don't sell the particular item you get an error msg.

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 2:57pm

stimpson wrote: »

I'm going to be amazed if amazon don't have delivery from EU via amazon.ie ready to rock in case of a no deal. Also very disappointed.

No, I think the English language version of the German site is their official solution. Amazon have told independent retailers on the UK store to send stock to their mainland European fulfilment centres if they want to be able to sell to Ireland after a no-deal brexit.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/amazon-uk-users-may-have-difficulties-after-a-no-deal-brexit-1.3762917

The article also says "the US giant has developed an English language version of its German-based www.amazon.de website with some of the prices on that site proving to be cheaper than on the UK site."

Cina · 28-08-2019 3:01pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Even with Amazon Prime membership?

I have Prime but it doesn't show me as having it on the German site, seems I'd have to cancel my UK Prime and get German prime instead, but the accounts seem to be linked so I've no idea how it works.

hopefully they'll find a way for us to still buy from the UK site post-brexit, seeing as the pound will probably be worth the same as the Yen by then.

jack presley · 28-08-2019 3:02pm

I had a look at Prime on the German site and Ireland isn’t listed as an available country. Am I missing something?

Otherwise postage seems quite expensive for items like CDs, books etc. and there doesn’t seem to be free shipping for spending over a certain amount.

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 3:07pm

Cina wrote: »

hopefully they'll find a way for us to still buy from the UK site post-brexit, seeing as the pound will probably be worth the same as the Yen by then.

We'll still be able to physically buy from the UK site post Brexit, but if there's no deal, we'll be paying import duties, so unless the exchange rate is very favourable, things will be much more expensive. It'll be the exact same as buying from the US at present.

Plopsu · 28-08-2019 3:28pm

jack presley wrote: »

I had a look at Prime on the German site and Ireland isn’t listed as an available country. Am I missing something?

Otherwise postage seems quite expensive for items like CDs, books etc. and there doesn’t seem to be free shipping for spending over a certain amount.

Hopefully, they'll introduce it when .co.uk no longer ship to Ireland.

ixoy · 28-08-2019 3:34pm

How about digital products, such as Kindle books? They should come under the €22 threshold but any confirmation? Can't really use the de site for ebooks.

TheIrishGrover · 28-08-2019 3:38pm

KungPao wrote: »

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

Thelonious Monk wrote:

Stop buying stuff you don't need!

Balanadan · 28-08-2019 3:39pm

I bought some books recently off an Irish website, https://www.kennys.ie/

Happy with the prices and delivery.

TheIrishGrover · 28-08-2019 3:41pm

Will surely have an impact on the likes of Parcel Motel. I've ordered the Saga Compendium. Was supposed to ship yesterday. Going to Norn Iron. Now rescheduled to between now and October 22...... Have also ordered an autographed book from Waterstones that doesn't ship until late October.

Cina · 28-08-2019 3:42pm

jack presley wrote: »

I had a look at Prime on the German site and Ireland isn’t listed as an available country. Am I missing something?

Otherwise postage seems quite expensive for items like CDs, books etc. and there doesn’t seem to be free shipping for spending over a certain amount.

i'm not surprised, they're being posted from the year 2000.

28-08-2019 3:45pm

ixoy wrote: »

How about digital products, such as Kindle books? They should come under the €22 threshold but any confirmation? Can't really use the de site for ebooks.

For kindle books you can switch your region to the US site. They don't have the same selection of books as each other but you can switch between the UK and US regions in the Manage Your Content and Devices part of your account, under Preferences.

There can be price differences in either direction, but it's very straightforward to switch areas.

jack presley · 28-08-2019 3:48pm

Cina wrote: »

i'm not surprised, they're being posted from the year 2000.

I’ll never convert to the Kindle etc. I love an actual book in my hands.

Irish Guitarist · 28-08-2019 3:50pm

Depending on what you're looking to buy you might be better off using eBay.

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 3:54pm

ixoy wrote: »

How about digital products, such as Kindle books? They should come under the €22 threshold but any confirmation? Can't really use the de site for ebooks.

When buying from outside the EU, if the order is under €22 all in, it's exempt from VAT. If it's intrinsic value is under €150, it's also exempt from customs duty. I'd say most Kindle books would therefore be VAT and customs duty free.

kowloon · 28-08-2019 3:58pm

I've used Amazon.de, .fr and .es along with the US and UK sites. Some marketplace sellers won't ship to Ireland, but that's the case with all of the sites. All the EU sites are good for VAT registered business accounts too.

28-08-2019 4:13pm

endacl wrote: »

Dunno. Having to leave the gaff and walk into a shop to buy a plug would be a bit of a deal breaker for me. Do amazon sell plugs?

If it’s something you just leave plugged in you don’t even need an adaptor or to rewire it (which is easy enough anyway) you can just push the two pin plug into our sockets easily enough a screwdriver or scissors into the earth pin easily releases it to push in the two pin, I do it all the time.

Vic_08 · 28-08-2019 4:15pm

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

Depending on what you're looking to buy you might be better off using eBay.

ebay will be effected even more so than Amazon, duty will be payable on UK located products and most likely Parcel Motel et al will be unviable as they will be easy targets for revenue.

As long as personal transport is not subject to inspection collecting stuff from the likes of Argos in Newry may see a swift uptake.

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 4:28pm

Reagan Purple Theater wrote: »

If it’s something you just leave plugged in you don’t even need an adaptor or to rewire it (which is easy enough anyway) you can just push the two pin plug into our sockets easily enough a screwdriver or scissors into the earth pin easily releases it to push in the two pin, I do it all the time.

That's OK with a double insulated device that doesn't need an earth. Plug like this:

Not so good using something conductive like a scissors or screwdriver to do it. it's best not to be sicking non-insulated metal into any part of a 230V socket.

If it has a plug that requires an earth, it would be risky.

Force Carrier · 28-08-2019 4:49pm

Amazon if they see a drop off will set up a .ie with accompanying logistics and local distribution.

28-08-2019 5:15pm

phutyle wrote: »

That's OK with a double insulated device that doesn't need an earth. Plug like this:

Not so good using something conductive like a scissors or screwdriver to do it. it's best not to be sicking non-insulated metal into any part of a 230V socket.

If it has a plug that requires an earth, it would be risky.

Yeah of course but all consumer electronics that people are buying online will be the two pin plug as above.

Agreed there is a tiny risk in sticking something into the socket but there should be nothing running in the earth so feck it I’ve always just chanced it.

Gregor Samsa · 28-08-2019 5:19pm

Force Carrier wrote: »

Amazon if they see a drop off will set up a .ie with accompanying logistics and local distribution.

I would be surprised if Amazon set up a fulfillment center in Ireland to cater for the very small Irish market. They rely on serious volume, more than the domestic market can provide. But I'd be very, very happy if I was proved wrong.

endacl · 28-08-2019 5:32pm

Reagan Purple Theater wrote: »

If it’s something you just leave plugged in you don’t even need an adaptor or to rewire it (which is easy enough anyway) you can just push the two pin plug into our sockets easily enough a screwdriver or scissors into the earth pin easily releases it to push in the two pin, I do it all the time.

You appear to have mistakenly taken my post at face value.

zpehtsfd · 28-08-2019 6:04pm

Don't worry lads you can just mail all your goodies to my new warehouse in the North and i'll deliver them to your homes in the South for a minimal fee. Check out my website here www.undertheradarcouriers.com

Hard Border me hole? :pac::pac::pac:

Spocker · 28-08-2019 6:08pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Even with Amazon Prime membership?

ELM327 wrote: »

I think amazon prime gives you free delivery

Amazon Prime isn't free though - "Free Shipping over €25" from .co.uk doesn't require you to purchase an extra service like Prime.

masterboy123 wrote: »

The first link oepend automatically with amazon app on my phone.

I suppose you need to be using browser to be able to change countries. Until today I have used only Amazon app on my phone to purchase the items.

Good idea though, just need to spend little extra time.

Nope, you can change the Amazon country you're buying from in the app - got to Settings->Country and Language

NewbridgeIR · 28-08-2019 7:19pm

The big question is whether packages over the threshold will be “caught”.

As it stands November / December is the worst time to order from non-EU sellers. But the rest of the year is mostly miss, not hit.

Amazon US now make you pay the VAT in advance. Wonder if Amazon UK will do the same. If not, then people may take their chances.

masterboy123 · 28-08-2019 7:46pm

Not sure what product you were looking at. But I get things under for €10 and it's free shipping from Amazon Prime. You can choose Prime only products and I didn't see "Free shipping over €25". For example I ordered tissue papers for €3 and it was delivered in 2 days and no shipping fee!

Regarding changing country in the app everytime and comparing and searching same product twice will consume more time, better to use a Web browser and open 2 different tabs.

Spocker wrote: »

Amazon Prime isn't free though - "Free Shipping over €25" from .co.uk doesn't require you to purchase an extra service like Prime.

Nope, you can change the Amazon country you're buying from in the app - got to Settings->Country and Language

Brexit: Alternatives to Amazon.co.uk

Comments